Comparison Dreame D9 Max vs Dreame Bot L10 Pro

The suction power provided by the vacuum cleaner. For models with power adjustment (see below), in this case, the maximum value is taken into account. Note that "suction power" is sometimes erroneously also called the suction force, indicated in pascals; see below for more details.

Suction power is a key indicator that determines the capabilities of the unit: the higher it is, the more efficiently the vacuum cleaner can draw in various contaminants, and the better it handles with carpets, fabrics and other materials into which dust can penetrate deeply. On the other hand, high power inevitably affects the weight, power consumption, dimensions and price of the device. Therefore, it does not always make sense to chase the maximum values — you need to take into account the real working conditions and the general purpose of the vacuum cleaner.

The specific numbers found in this paragraph largely depend on the type of device. For example, in handheld household models, suction power does not exceed 100 W, and for conventional household units, an indicator of 100 – 150 W is still considered very limited. At the same time, we note that the minimum required for a full-fledged dry cleaning of smooth floors is considered to be 300 – 350 W, for carpet and other short pile coatings — 350 – 400 W, and for long pile materials and upholstered furniture higher rates are desirable. Vacuum cleaners with lower suction power values are intended not so much for periodic cleaning, but for constant (ideally daily) maintenance of cleanliness in an already tidy room.

As for the relationship between suction power and suction force, it is as follows: power is the suction force (thrust) multiplied by the airflow (performance). Without going into too much detail, we can say that the efficiency of the vacuum cleaner is determined by both of these indicators. And it is worth evaluating this efficiency by suction power (regardless of the specific relationship between traction and performance).

Additional modes of operation provided by the robot cleaner (see "Product type").

First of all, let us clarify that the standard modes, in this case, include two formats of cleaning at standard power — continuous, in which the vacuum cleaner carefully cleans the entire room (or its specified area), and chaotic, in which it moves randomly within the working area. Other ways of working are considered additional; their list is given in this paragraph. Among the most common additional modes are spot cleaning (Spot), perimeter cleaning (Edge), and turbo mode. In addition, a fairly popular function is the Zigzag. Here is a detailed description of the different options:

— Spot cleaning (Spot). A mode that allows you to use the vacuum cleaner for targeted cleaning of a relatively small area of the room — for example, when spilling a small amount of debris. Most often, this programme works as follows: the robot moves to the centre of a user-defined zone, and then starts moving from this point in an expanding spiral and stops at a given distance from the starting position.

— Perimeter cleaning (Edge). A mode that allows you to start the vacuum cleaner around the perimeter of a given zone. By the name, it is mainly used for cleaning along the walls of the room: a lot of dirt accumulates in these places, which are difficul...t to remove when using standard cleaning modes.

— Turbo mode. Power mode for more suction force. Usually, the movement of the vacuum cleaner, in this case, can be carried out according to any programme available in the settings — both standard (combing, random movement) and additional (Spot, Edge, Zigzag). Anyway, the turbo mode is useful primarily for cleaning carpets and other floor coverings with pile, for which the standard power of the vacuum cleaner is not enough. However, working at increased traction increases the load on the unit and increases its wear. Therefore, most models have restrictions on the maximum time of continuous operation in turbo mode and sometimes on the minimum duration of breaks between switching on this mode.

— Zigzag. Zigzag movement is a kind of transitional variant between the orderly combing of the room and the random choice of direction. Zigzag allows you to achieve greater efficiency than chaotic movements. In addition, with such a movement, it is easier to compensate for the presence of various obstacles and ensure thorough cleaning of the entire given area.

Additional functions provided in the design of the robot vacuum cleaner (see "Type").

Most often in modern robots you can find such special functions: scheduled cleaning, fall protection, obstacle sensor, object recognition, water supply adjustment, control via the Internet, remote control and video surveillance camera. Here is a more detailed description of each of them:

- Scheduled cleaning. The ability to set a schedule according to which the vacuum cleaner will clean automatically, without additional commands from the customer. At the same time, the specific features of such programming may be different, they should be specified separately. So, in the simplest models, the schedule is limited to individual hours within a day - for example, from 16 to 17; at the set hours, the vacuum cleaner is switched on every day. More advanced devices may provide a schedule for the days of the week or even for the dates of the month or year. In any case, this function greatly simplifies the use: it is enough to set the schedule once - and you can not worry about cleaning for at least a few days; especially since most models with this capability also have the function of docking...(see “Robot Configuration - Charging Station”), and the customer only needs to periodically empty the dust container (which is even more simplified if there is a docking station with a bag - see . below).

- Fall protection. Special protection that prevents the vacuum cleaner from falling off steps, high thresholds, etc. In most cases, the basis of such a system is one or more sensors located on the underside of the case. When the vacuum cleaner travels to the edge of the surface being treated, the sensor reacts to this edge - as a result, the device stops and changes direction in order to avoid falling.

- Obstacle sensor. Sensor (or sensor system) for detecting obstacles in the path of the vacuum cleaner. The specific type of such sensors can be different: ultrasonic, infrared, laser, contact, etc. However, in any case, this function allows the device to move in space, avoiding collisions and determining the best detour path. Note that models without such a sensor, for the most part, are also able to bypass obstacles - however, for this, the robot must not only stumble upon a foreign object, but try to pass through it. And only in case of failure, the trajectory changes - moreover, randomly, far from always in the optimal (or at least suitable) direction.

- Object recognition. The function of recognizing various objects on the floor that may interfere with the cleaning process. It is implemented through the presence of a front camera to adjust the optimal route for the vacuum cleaner along the perimeter of the serviced area. The camera in the design of the robotic cleaner reads the outlines of objects and allows you to bypass such obstacles. As a result, slippers, socks thrown under the bed, children's's toys and wires will no longer interfere with the movements of the vacuum cleaner. The function is of particular benefit in the presence of pets at home that are not accustomed to the tray - the robot will calmly has their waste products and keep the nervous system of pet owners healthy.

— Adjustment of water supply. Dosing system for the degree of wetting of the washing cloth in automatic mode. The ability to select the intensity of the water supply allows you to adjust the operation of the robotic vacuum cleaner for different types of floor coverings. For example, for parquet and laminate, the customer can set a low water flow rate, and for less whimsical tiled flooring, a high water flow rate. Also, the vacuum cleaner can turn off the water supply to avoid leaks, for example, when charging. In advanced models of robotic vacuum cleaners, the function of choosing an individual degree of wetting of the napkin for each of the rooms of the dwelling is often incorporated.

— Docking station with a bag. Docking station with its own trash bag. Upon arrival at such a stand, the robot can not only recharge the battery, but also carry out self-cleaning - unload the collected garbage into an external container; The capacity of the dock, as a rule, is enough for several unloadings. The convenience of this function is obvious: it allows the device to work longer without customer intervention, eliminates the need to manually clean the vacuum cleaner when the dust container is full (besides, unloading garbage from the dock is usually easier than such cleaning). True, and such opportunities are quite expensive.

- Management from the Internet. The ability to control the vacuum cleaner via the Internet - most often through a special application on a smartphone or other gadget (theoretically, such control is also possible through a web page that opens in any browser, but in practice this method is almost never used). The robot itself is connected to the network via Wi-Fi. The main advantage of this function is obvious - it allows you to give commands to the device from anywhere in the world where there is Internet access. In this way, for example, you can start a cleaning programme the day before you return from vacation in order to return to a freshly cleaned apartment. And the vacuum cleaner, in turn, can send various notifications to the customer - about the state of the battery, the progress of cleaning, the fullness of the dust container, etc.

- Remote control. A classic remote control that allows you to give commands to the device from a distance. As a rule, such a remote control covers all the main functions of the vacuum cleaner, and in many models it also allows you to directly control the movement. In any case, without remote access, it would be very difficult to control a moving vacuum cleaner - you would either have to wait until it finishes working, or catch the unit on the go. In light of this, this feature is very popular; however, on sale you can find a lot of robots without a remote control. As a rule, these are either the simplest budget devices with a random movement mode and without any additional functions, or advanced models where a smartphone / tablet with an application is used for control.
We also note that the remote controls in robotic vacuum cleaners usually work via an infrared channel - similar to remote controls for TVs, air conditioners, etc. Thus, to receive a command, the vacuum cleaner must be in the line of sight. However, in most cases this can not be called a serious inconvenience.

- Videcam. Own surveillance camera built right into the vacuum cleaner. This feature is only found on web-based models (see above); it allows you to use the robot as a remote video surveillance system and control the situation in the room, being outside and watching the picture from the camera on the smartphone screen. Also, the built-in camera can be used in the mapping system (see "Building a room map") - however, we note that not every vacuum cleaner with a built-in mapping camera has a video surveillance function.

The mapping system is provided in many modern robots. It allows you to determine the size of the room and the location of various obstacles present in it, as well as fix the route travelled by the vacuum cleaner. There are various systems according to their principle of operation, among which there are three types. Methods for building a map based on data from a sensor or a camera belonging to the basic level. But building a map using a laser rangefinder (lidar) gives more accurate results and elevates the device to a higher category. Accordingly, the presence of such a system affects the overall cost but provides several advantages. Firstly, cleaning efficiency is noticeably increased: the robot remembers which areas have already been cleaned and pays maximum attention to untreated areas. Secondly, movements are carried out along optimal trajectories, the shortest paths; this saves energy and extends battery life. Thirdly, it becomes possible to effectively clean large spaces of complex shape (for example, the entire apartment). And if the vacuum cleaner is controlled through an application on a smartphone or other gadget, the created map is displayed in this application. It gives various additional features: correcting the collected data, real-time device control, building routes, limiting cleaning through the application (see above), etc. P.

As for the methods of building maps (and further naviga...tion), there are mainly such options:

— Camera. Such systems work because the robot, using a digital camera, “examines” the room, remembering its shape and the location of objects. A fairly simple, inexpensive and at the same time practical way: usually, the camera is supplemented by an object recognition algorithm, thanks to which it can recognize obstacles stored in memory, regardless of their position in space. It is useful when you have items that are frequently moved around, such as chairs. In addition, if the map is displayed in an application on a smartphone, it looks like not just a conventional diagram but a real image, which is very convenient. The disadvantages of this option include perhaps a slightly lower accuracy than that of sensors and even more so rangefinders. However, it is not critical, and in some models, information from the camera can be supplemented with data from sensors, which completely reduces this drawback to zero.

— Sensors. Creating a map through the operation of various special sensors. Most often, such systems use sensors for obstacles and fall protection (see "Robot features"), working in conjunction with an inertial module that determines the current position of the robot in space. Receiving a signal from one of the sensors, the robot saves data on the trigger point; from such points, as a result, the map is formed. It is a fairly reliable method. It is inferior in accuracy to rangefinding cartography (see below) but it is also cheaper. The disadvantages of this type of mapping include some inconvenience when managing via the application. The map is displayed in the form of a scheme map, which is not always convenient for the user. In addition, vacuum cleaners with such systems are unable to respond in advance to a change in the situation — this change is determined only when the sensor is triggered again.

— Rangefinder (laser). Building a map using a laser range finder — lidar. Usually, such a rangefinder covers the space all 360 ° around the vacuum cleaner, scanning the space at a high frequency (hundreds and even thousands of measurements per second in all directions). It allows you to create very accurate maps in a short time and with a minimum of movement in space. In addition, the rangefinder is used not only during the initial mapping but also during further work. Thanks to this, the robot instantly reacts to changes in the environment and corrects the trajectory of movement. The main disadvantage of such systems is their rather high cost. In addition, as in the case of sensors, when controlling the vacuum cleaner from a smartphone, the map is displayed in the form of a scheme map, which is somewhat less convenient than when using cameras.

— Rangefinder + camera. It is the most advanced and functional option: the laser provides high accuracy in determining distances and a quick response to changes in the environment. And the camera allows you to create not just scheme maps but realistic images of premises that are convenient when controlled via a smartphone. The main disadvantage of such combined systems is their very high cost. Therefore, they are extremely rare, mainly in premium robot vacuum cleaners.

The rated voltage of the battery used in the vacuum cleaner with the corresponding type of power supply (see above).

Initially, manufacturers select the characteristics of the battery (including voltage) in such a way that the vacuum cleaner can be guaranteed to deliver the power claimed in the specifications. Therefore, when choosing this indicator often does not play a decisive role. However, it can also be useful in such cases — for the most reliable comparison between models with different battery capacities in ampere-hours. See "Battery capacity" for details.

In addition, voltage data can be useful during operation — for example, to find a spare/replacement battery or a third-party charger.

— Ni-Cd (nickel-cadmium). The oldest of the options found in modern vacuum cleaners. It features high reliability, resistance to temperature extremes and good charging speed even with high capacity. The main disadvantage of this type of battery is a memory effect — a decrease in battery capacity if it is charged without being completely discharged. In addition, Ni-Cd batteries are considered environmentally unsafe. However, they are still widely used because of their low cost and decent performance.

— Ni-Mh (nickel-metal hydride). Further development and improvement of the nickel-cadmium batteries described above. While having the same basic advantages, Ni-Mh batteries are not affected by the memory effect and are safer to manufacture. Their disadvantages are the higher cost and somewhat shorter service life compared with the original Ni-Cd technology.

— Li-Ion (lithium-ion). A type of battery originally developed for use in portable devices. However, with the development of Li-Ion technology, it has been applied to other industries. The main advantage of such batteries is their high capacity with small dimensions and weight. It is also worth noting that they are not subject to the memory effect and can charge quite quickly. On the other hand, this option is not without its drawbacks — it is, first of all, sensitive to too low or elevated temperatures and a high price.

— Li-P...ol (lithium polymer). An improved version of the lithium-ion technology described above allows even more compact yet high-capacity batteries. The reverse side of these advantages is higher cost and increased sensitivity to low temperatures. However, for batteries used in vacuum cleaners, the latter is not critical.